Wrights Station, though
a small village, is an important shipping point, as it is the depot for
the extensive fruit growing sections in the surrounding
mountains. Travelers on the cars receive little intimation from
what they see along the route or at the station, concerning the rich
and beautiful section which crowns the mountain above the heavy belt of
timber which covers the hillside, and reaches down into the stream
which rushes through the canyon. The roads which leave the little
space of open ground by the depot to enter the leafy tunnels through
the woods furnish no suggestion of the vine-clad slopes, the towering
redwoods, the green fields, the cozy homes and bending fruit trees
which adorn the great territory above and beyond. The beauty of
this section can scarcely be described. There is a wealth of
resource, a grandeur of scenery, and a fertility of soil that
challenges description.

The Great Mountain Fruit
Region The amount of fruit shipped indicates in
a manner of horticultural wealth of the county. There are
in the vicinity about 3, 200 acres being of various varieties.
The fruit raised in this section takes on a richness of flavor which is
always noticeable. It is is firm in texture, also, and its
keeping qualities therefore , pronounced. The in season, about
two carloads of green fruit are shipped daily. The brush is being
cleared from the northern side of the canyon, and the land planted to
vines. WHen these come into bearing the output of the vicinity
will be very materially increased.

Soils and
Springs The body of the soil consists
largely of disintegrated sandstone and clay, and has the
appearance, particularly on the hilltops, of the "white ash" soil of
the Fresno raisin district. It is rich in plant food, and never
lacks moisture, as the rainfall in this section is always sufficient
for all needs. Springs emerge from the mountain sides in numerous
places, some of which are mineral, and from every steep ravine rushes a
sparkling stream. The atmosphere is always cool, influenced as it
is by breezes from the coast.

The Flow of Natural Gas
Wrights Station has a resource which may yet prove to be of great
importance. When the great tunnel was being driven through the
mountain by the railway company a strong flow of natural gas was
encountered, and an explosion followed, which resulted in the
death of thirty-two Chinamen. The main leak was
subsequently stopped, but gas still escapes in small quantities.
The extent of the supply is unknown, but is probably great enough to
warrant developments.

Grand Scenery and
Picturesque Homes The scenery is everywhere
beautiful, and within the past few years people in search of sites for
homes have climbed on mountain sides, searched out the springs, and
made winding roads around the knolls, up the canyons, and to the very
summits. The brush has in many places been cut away, and trees
and vines cover knolls and hillsides. White houses stand on
projecting points far above the canyons, or nestle in groves of trees
on the benches.

Sunshine Fruit and
Flowers- Santa Clara County And its Resources- A Souvenir of The
San Jose Mercury, 1896- transcribed by cferoben